UN Appoints Moroccan Activist to Sexual Exploitation Advisory Board

Rabat – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced on Tuesday, February 19, the appointment of Moroccan activist Najat M’jid and six other expert members to the Civil Society Advisory Board on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.

According to Stephane Dujarric, the Secretary-General’s spokesperson the board aims to promote “closer interaction with civil society and external experts and organizations as part of the UN’s efforts to combat sexual exploitation and abuse.”

Maghreb Arab Press stated further that the creation of the board, according to the UN, “is an important element in the strategy of the UN Secretary-General to improve the fight against this global organization of sexual exploitation and abuse.”

The functions of the committee are to advise the Secretary-General on ways to strengthen preventive measures and accountability mechanisms against sexual exploitation and abuse by UN members and non-UN members operating within the mandate of the Security Council.

Najat M’jid, a member of Morocco’s National Human Rights Council, is a pediatrician who has been involved in protecting vulnerable children for three decades.

M’jid founded BAYTI, an NGO working in the field of family reintegration, schools, and the socio-professional reintegration of children in precarious situations.

Between 2008 and 2014, M’jid worked as the UN’s special rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children.